'85 Cutlass build update

[Outlaw]

So, got a lot done since the last update, but i gotta say, converting a Vinyl Top car to a HT car and painting trim is a crap load of work in itself! Made an eleventh hour decision and decided to paint the car dark red with the satin black trim instead of blacking it out as originally planned. Custom mixed the paint to a warm dark red color which my wife appropriately named, "chocolate cherry red". Finally found a 3rd Gen firebird spoiler and fitted to trunk lid and body is block sanded and ready to spray......as soon as the New Years hangover is gone...lol...

 

[tc1959]

nice job 8)

 

[spanky]

Yea man that color is sweet. that should look good

 

[papabearxl]

Yea man that color is sweet. that should look good

x2!

 

[Burnhard]

Nice work cars looking good thanks for the update. How many hours do you think you have in to the vinyl roof delet? Was there a lot of work geting the roof and sail panel straight? How many hours do you think in total you will have in the paint and body work?

 

[Outlaw]

Just pulled the car out of the booth this morning. I figure I've got about 20 hours just to get the roof and sail panel ready for primer, including the time to install moulding clip pins, etc. I think I got off easy compared to some pics posted of what's beneath the vinyl! Total bodywork and paint hours will be easily be about 75 hours(?) but whos counting. I had tons of dents ( X-party car i believe) and surface rust beneath the lower chrome trim and i painted the bumpers and trim. I painted the car in Single Stage Urethane which saved some time and money. I gave it three coats instead of two so i can wet sand and polish it out to a mirror finish. Hate orange peel, drives me nuts! The whole paint job will cost me about $600.00, not much money but tons of work. I would dread taking any car to a body shop for paint these days at the cost of materials and labour! Keep in mind, i'm painting the car in parts and painting under hood, truck and door jambs which is lot more work but makes for a much nicer job. By far the biggest task was the vinyl top delete.....it's not pretty underneath that vinyl......need a bit of grinding, sanding, bondo but well worth it in the end I think. I think it's going to look good with all the satin black trim and bumpers.

 

[dogsht]

Great job and thanks for posting the pics. I like the spoiler and once done you will never regret taking out the vinyl top. I like the black dash & door panels etc or a well done white with quality leather seats and both are rarely done in a Gbody. Console buckets and ralley guages also change the personality so much. Moves it away from granny car or half butt granny car conversion to more of a luxury sports car.

 

[snowball]

Your have done a good job so far. Is that a Hurst or aftermarket spoiler? I got mine from a 1984 Hurst and the guy that painted it did a lousy job.

 

[Burnhard]

Very nice work car looks good. Vinyl roof delet I think is worth the time makes the car look way better.The reason I asked about the hours was I have to do the same to my car. Thanks for the up date

 

[Veltboy618]

Nice